Gentilesky Dream LP
This LP, the band’s second, is the first I’m hearing of this Sardinian/Istanbulite act. I somehow missed their 2024 debut, so I was thrown for a bit of a loop when I got some slick-as-shit melodic post-punk instead of the BO DIDDLEY beats and SONICS-y yowls, maybe some harmonica I expected—you know, your standard Slovenly Euro garage fare. The band even has ties to the RIPPERS, who might be thee paradigmatic Slovenly Euro garage act! Bait-and-switch aside, this record has its moments. There’s a big GANG OF FOUR influence running through the nine tracks that make up the record, and when they hew close to that sound, I’m into it. When they stray into math rock territory, I’m less interested. I do think the recording is a tad too polished, and the band has a tendency to launch into some relatively grandiose choruses that seem a little too…”obvious” doesn’t seem like the right word, but it’s getting close. Still, some great songs here. Fans of their debut (which I’ve since gone back and listened to and is maybe more my speed) should find plenty to like.